With the Pwn2Own hacking contest coming to an end, it was revealed that every major web browser was hacked.

Google Chrome exploit allowed for a full breakout from its invincible sandbox resulting in a $100,000 reward, while both Firefox and Internet Explorer were exploited by a security firm VUPEN, resulting in a total of $160,000 in bounty payments ($60,000 and $100,000 respectively).

What about Safari? As it turns out, no one even pre-registered for Apple’s web browser this year despite the $75,000 prize.Continue Reading

Now here is something that will finally come to an end, according to Europa Press, Microsoft was fined $731 million by EU for breaking the browser ballot agreement that was signed back in 2009.

The good news, at least for Microsoft, is that the fine is far smaller than some might have expected as it was supposed to be as high as $7.4 billion or a 10% of the annual turnover. According to a report, one of the main catalysts behind what it seems to be a small fine was a cooperation from Microsoft.

Earlier last year, Microsoft has helped the developers behind Contre Jour, a visually stunning game for all the platforms, to port it to the web.

Now, the software giant has announced the availability of a new version, which includes a total of 20 new levels and two new worlds. While neither Petit nor Microsoft shared any visitor numbers, it was revealed that there were close to 1 million visitors from the Brazil alone.

If you haven’t played Contre Jour already, grab your headphones and check it out.

Back in December, we have reported about the very first Windows Phone 8 update, which (among other improvements) was supposed to bring a new Internet Explorer feature, allowing users not to download images, saving bandwidth and improving loading times.

Now, it looks like Microsoft has decided to make this feature a yet another Verizon exclusive, with even unlocked Australian / European phones missing the promised checkbox.Continue Reading

Prior the Data Privacy Day (January 28th), Microsoft has conducted a study whose goal was to learn more about people’s online privacy perceptions. As it turns out, 45% of all the respondents felt like they had little to no control over their personal information with only 10% saying that know how to protect their online privacy.

Well, in an effort to educate the average consumer (who will never visit nor know about such initiative anyway), Microsoft has launched a new portal, which aims to demonstrate how the software giant uses various tools (such as IE’s DNT header) to protect you from the “evil corporations”.Continue Reading

Now here is an interesting take on Internet Explorer market share and its effects on a murder rate in the US.

As revealed by the anonymous researchers on the Internet (you know, the kind you can always trust), the less share IE had, the happier everyone was, which makes sense in the days of Internet Explorer 6.Continue Reading